Solventless process for the preparation of amine functional polyetherimide resins with improved melt flow

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a process that includes blending a polyimide resin and a primary alky amine organic compound to produce an aryl amine functionalized polyimide, having aryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydride functionality. The polyimide resin can have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) from 5,000 to 100,000 daltons. The organic compound can include at least one primary aliphatic amine without a direct linkage of a nitrogen to an aryl group and without a functionality selected from a halogen functionality, a hydroxyl functionality, a sulfonic acid functionality, a sulfonic acid salt functionality, and combinations thereof. The disclosure also relates to alkyl imide functionalized polyimides also with aryl amine functionalized polyimides, having aryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydride functionality and articles produced therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Polyetherimides (PEI) are well known engineering thermoplastics that canbe made by condensation polymerization. For example, see: ASTM: D5205Standard Classification System for Polyetherimide Materials. Due totheir high glass transition temperature (Tg) and relatively stiffbackbones, polyetherimides can be difficult to melt process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the invention provide a combination of a primaryaliphatic amine with an aryl polyimide in a melt, which provides arylamine functionalized resins with improved flow. More specifically, ithas been found that reaction of an aryl PEI with primary aliphatic amineby a melt process can give aryl amine functionalized resins withimproved flow while at the same time functionalizing the higher flowaryl polyimide with both alkyl imide and aryl amine functional endgroups.

In one embodiment, our invention relates to a process comprisingreacting a polyimide resin and an organic compound to produce an arylamine functionalized polyimide, having aryl amine functionality inexcess of any anhydride functionality, wherein the polyimide resin has aweight average molecular weight (Mw) from 5,000 to 100,000 daltons,wherein the organic compound comprises at least one primary aliphaticamine, wherein the primary aliphatic amine does not have a directlinkage of a nitrogen to an aryl group, and wherein the primaryaliphatic amine does not have a functionality selected from the groupconsisting of a halogen functionality, a hydroxyl functionality, asulfonic acid functionality, a sulfonic acid salt functionality, andcombinations thereof.

In another embodiment, our invention relates to a process for making afiber where the above-mentioned process further involves continuouslyproducing a fiber having a denier in a range of from greater than 0 to10 denier at a rate of from 0.5 to 10 kg/hour. In another embodiment,our invention relates to a fiber made by the process.

In another embodiment, our invention relates to fabrics made from thefibers made by our process.

In another embodiment, our invention relates to an aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide, having aryl amine functionality in excess ofany anhydride functionality.

In another embodiment, our invention relates to an article comprising analkyl imide functionalized polyimide, further having an aryl aminefunctionality in excess of any anhydride functionality.

According to various embodiments, the primary aliphatic amine can be aprimary aliphatic amine thermally stable at polyimide melt processingtemperatures, above about 300° C. An exemplary amine is a C₆-C₂₀ alkylamine, such as stearyl amine. The primary aliphatic amine can becombined in the melt with polyimide resins at from 0.01 to 5 wt. % ofthe mixture, or at from 0.1 to 1.0 wt. % of the mixture.

According to various embodiments, polyimide can be readily reacted withthe primary aliphatic amine a melt reaction, such as extrusion, bycombining the ingredients and melting and mixing in devices such as anextruder. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that theprimary aliphatic amine chemically combines with the polyimide to make anew resin that is end capped with the residue of the alkyl aminereacting through the primary amino functionality to produce an alkylimide polymer end group. At the same time, this coverts the existingaryl imide group into an aryl amine functionality a shown in Equation 1for the reaction of octadecyl amine (a example of a primary alkyl amine)with a polyetherimide derived from bisphenol A dianhydride andm-phenylene diamine.

The primary aliphatic amine can be introduced into a molten stream ofpolyimide resin, for instance, by feeding downstream from the primaryfeed throat of an extruder or the primary aliphatic amine can be fedinto an extruder at the same time as the polyimide. In some instancesthe reaction can be accomplished in under a minute with no use ofsolvent.

Various embodiments relate to a process that includes thermally reactinga polyimide resin and a primary aliphatic amine organic compound toproduce an alkyl imide and aryl amine functionalized polyimide, havingaryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydride functionality. Theunmodified (starting) polyimide resin can have a weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) from 5,000 to 100,000 daltons. The organiccompound can include at least one primary aliphatic amine without adirect linkage of a nitrogen to an aryl group and without afunctionality selected from a halogen functionality, a hydroxylfunctionality, a sulfonic acid functionality, a sulfonic acid saltfunctionality, and combinations thereof.

Other embodiments relate to aryl amine functionalized polyimides, havingalkyl imide and aryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydridefunctionality and articles produced therefrom.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Our invention is based, in part, on the discovery that by using arylamine/aryl imide terminated polyimides, e.g., PEI, the use of such PEIexhibits, unexpectedly and remarkably, relatively higher flow and meltstability properties, as compared to a polyetherimide that is notaryl-amine and octadecyl imide terminated. Advantageously, theproperties of our composition when used to make fibers, makes itpossible to make fibers with a combination of useful properties andmakes it possible to spin fibers having low denier features for extendedperiods of time.

The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to thefollowing detailed description of preferred embodiments of the inventionas well as to the examples included therein.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term“about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generallyrefers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would considerequivalent to the recited value (i.e., having the same function orresult). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers thatare rounded to the nearest significant figure.

Various embodiments relate to a process comprising blending a polyimideresin and a primary aliphatic amine organic compound to produce an arylamine functionalized polyimide, having aryl amine functionality inexcess of any anhydride functionality as well as containing alky imideend groups.

The blending can occur in an extruder operated at atmospheric pressurewith no vacuum applied.

The blending can occur in an extruder operated at a rotational speedwithin a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range caninclude or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lowerlimit and/or upper limit can be selected from 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60,70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210,220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350,360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490,500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630,640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750 ppm. Forexample, the blending can occur in an extruder operated at 50 to 500rpm.

The blending and/or reaction can occur in the molten polyimide at atemperature within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit.The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit.The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 200, 210, 220,230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360,370, 380, 390 and 400 degrees Celsius. A temperature that allows formelting or the polyetherimide while optimizing retention of thealiphatic primary amine in the extruder is preferred, for example, amelt reaction can occur at a temperature of from 300 to 370 degreesCelsius.

The extruder can be of any conventional type, for example either singleor twin screw with any screw design. In a preferred embodiment theextruder is a co-rotating twin screw extruder that is run at atmosphericpressure with no external vacuum applied. In some instances the extruderwill have a length to diameter (L/D) of from 5:1 to 50:1. In otherinstances the L/D will be from 20:1 to 40:1. In yet other instances theextruder screw diameter will vary from 0.5 to 8.0 inches. The extrudercan be run at any conventional speed, for example from 50 to 400revolutions per minute (rpm). The initial polyetherimide (PEI) can befed to the extruder in any form, for example, pellets, cubes, flakes,chunks, powder or any mixture thereof. The primary alkyl amine may bemixed with the unmelted polyimide and the mixture fed into the throat ofthe extruder or the primary alkyl amine may be added down stream of thefeed throat into a molten polyimide.

The blending and/or reaction can occur with little or no organic solventin an amount within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit.The range of organic solvent, if present, can include or exclude thelower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limitcan be selected from 0, 100, 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, 300,325, 350, 375, 400, 425, 450, 475, 500, 525, 550, 575, 600, 625, 650,675, 700, 725, 750, 775, 800, 825, 850, 875, 900, 925, 950, 975, and1000 ppm. For example, the blending can occur in the presence of lessthan 500 ppm of an organic solvent.

The process can further comprise continuously producing a fiber having adenier within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. Therange can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. Thelower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2,2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5,11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5,18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, and 20 denier. The fiber can be produced at anyrate, as long as the fiber has useful denier features. In oneembodiment, the rate is within a range having a lower limit and/or anupper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or theupper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 1,1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10,10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14, 14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17,17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 60, 80, 80, 100, 150 and 200kg/hour. For example, the process can further comprise continuouslyproducing a fiber having a denier in a range of from greater than 0 to10 denier at a rate of from 0.5 or from 5 to 100 kg/hour. Variousembodiments relate to a fiber made by such a process.

The polyimide can be selected from (i) polyetherimide homopolymers,e.g., polyetherimides, (ii) polyetherimide co-polymers, e.g.,siloxane-polyetherimides, polyetherimide sulfones, and (iii)combinations thereof. Polyimides are known polymers and are sold bySABIC Innovative Plastics under the Ultem*, Extem*, and Siltem* brands(Trademark of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.).

The polyetherimides are of formula (1):

wherein a is more than 1, for example 10 to 1,000 or more, or morespecifically 10 to 500.

The group V in formula (1) is a tetravalent linker containing an ethergroup (a “polyetherimide” as used herein) or a combination of an ethergroups and arylene sulfone groups (a “polyetherimide sulfone”). Suchlinkers include but are not limited to: (a) substituted orunsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated or aromatic monocyclic andpolycyclic groups having 5 to 50 carbon atoms, optionally substitutedwith ether groups, arylene sulfone groups, or a combination of ethergroups and arylene sulfone groups; and (b) substituted or unsubstituted,linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl groups having 1 to 30carbon atoms and optionally substituted with ether groups or acombination of ether groups, arylene sulfone groups, and arylene sulfonegroups; or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing.Suitable additional substitutions include, but are not limited to,ethers, amides, esters, and combinations comprising at least one of theforegoing.

The R group in formula (1) includes but is not limited to substituted orunsubstituted divalent organic groups such as: (a) aromatic hydrocarbongroups having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and halogenated derivatives thereof;(b) straight or branched chain alkylene groups having 2 to 20 carbonatoms; (c) cycloalkylene groups having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, or (d)divalent groups of formula (2):

wherein Q¹ includes but is not limited to a divalent moiety such as —O—,—S—, —C(O)—, —SO₂—, —SO—, —C_(y)H_(2y)— (y being an integer from 1 to5), and halogenated derivatives thereof, including perfluoroalkylenegroups.

In an embodiment, linkers V include but are not limited to tetravalentaromatic groups of formula (3):

wherein W is a divalent moiety including —O—, —SO₂—, or a group of theformula —O—Z—O— wherein the divalent bonds of the —O— or the —O—Z—O—group are in the 3,3′, 3,4′, 4,3′, or the 4,4′ positions, and wherein Zincludes, but is not limited, to divalent groups of formulas (4):

wherein Q includes, but is not limited to a divalent moiety including—O—, —S—, —C(O)—, —SO₂—, —SO—, —C_(y)H_(2y)— (y being an integer from 1to 5), and halogenated derivatives thereof, including perfluoroalkylenegroups.

In a specific embodiment, the polyetherimide comprise more than 1,specifically 10 to 1,000, or more specifically, 10 to 500 structuralunits, of formula (5):

wherein T is —O— or a group of the formula —O—Z—O— wherein the divalentbonds of the —O— or the —O—Z—O— group are in the 3,3′, 3,4′, 4,3′, orthe 4,4′ positions; Z is a divalent group of formula (3) as definedabove; and R is a divalent group of formula (2) as defined above.

In another specific embodiment, the polyetherimide sulfones arepolyimides comprising ether groups and sulfone groups wherein at least50 mole % of the linkers V and the groups R in formula (1) comprise adivalent arylene sulfone group. For example, all linkers V, but nogroups R, can contain an arylene sulfone group; or all groups R but nolinkers V can contain an arylene sulfone group; or an arylene sulfonecan be present in some fraction of the linkers V and R groups, providedthat the total mole fraction of V and R groups containing an arylsulfone group is greater than or equal to 50 mole %.

Even more specifically, polyetherimide sulfones can comprise more than1, specifically 10 to 1,000, or more specifically, 10 to 500 structuralunits of formula (6):

wherein Y is —O—, —SO₂—, or a group of the formula —O—Z—O— wherein thedivalent bonds of the —O—, SO₂—, or the —O—Z—O— group are in the 3,3′,3,4′, 4,3′, or the 4,4′ positions, wherein Z is a divalent group offormula (3) as defined above and R is a divalent group of formula (2) asdefined above, provided that greater than 50 mole % of the sum of molesY+moles R in formula (2) contain —SO₂— groups.

It is to be understood that the polyetherimides and polyetherimidesulfones can optionally comprise linkers V that do not contain ether orether and sulfone groups, for example linkers of formula (7):

Imide units containing such linkers are generally be present in amountsranging from 0 to 10 mole % of the total number of units, specifically 0to 5 mole %. In one embodiment no additional linkers V are present inthe polyetherimides and polyetherimide sulfones.

In another specific embodiment, the polyetherimide comprises 10 to 500structural units of formula (5) and the polyetherimide sulfone contains10 to 500 structural units of formula (6).

The polyetherimide and polyetherimide sulfones can be prepared byvarious methods, including, but not limited to, the reaction of abis(phthalimide) for formula (8):

wherein R is as described above and X is a nitro group or a halogen.Bis-phthalimides (8) can be formed, for example, by the condensation ofthe corresponding anhydride of formula (9):

wherein X is a nitro group or halogen, with an organic diamine of theformula (10):

H₂N—R—NH₂  (10),

wherein R is as described above.

Illustrative examples of amine compounds of formula (10) include:ethylenediamine, propylenediamine, trimethylenediamine,diethylenetriamine, triethylenetetramine, hexamethylenediamine,heptamethylenediamine, octamethylenediamine; nonamethylenediamine,decamethylenediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine, 1,18-octadecanediamine,3-methylheptamethylenediamine, 4,4-dimethylheptamethylenediamine,4-methylnonamethylenediamine, 5-methylnonamethylenediamine,2,5-dimethylhexamethylenediamine, 2,5-dimethylheptamethylenediamine,2,2-dimethylpropylenediamine, N-methyl-bis(3-aminopropyl)amine,3-methoxyhexamethylenediamine, 1,2-bis(3-aminopropoxy)ethane,bis(3-aminopropyl)sulfide, 1,4-cyclohexanediamine,bis-(4-aminocyclohexyl)methane, m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine,2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,6-diaminotoluene, m-xylylenediamine,p-xylylenediamine, 2-methyl-4,6-diethyl-1,3-phenylene-diamine,5-methyl-4,6-diethyl-1,3-phenylene-diamine, benzidine,3,3′-dimethylbenzidine, 3,3′-dimethoxybenzidine, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene,bis(4-aminophenyl)methane,bis(2-chloro-4-amino-3,5-diethylphenyl)methane,bis(4-aminophenyl)propane, 2,4-bis(b-amino-t-butyl)toluene,bis(p-b-amino-t-butylphenyl)ether, bis(p-b-methyl-o-aminophenyl)benzene,bis(p-b-methyl-o-aminopentyl)benzene, 1,3-diamino-4-isopropylbenzene,bis(4-aminophenyl)ether and 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane.Mixtures of these amines can be used. Illustrative examples of aminecompounds of formula (10) containing sulfone groups include but are notlimited to, diamino diphenyl sulfone (DDS) and bis(aminophenoxyphenyl)sulfones (BAPS). Combinations comprising any of the foregoingamines can be used.

The polyetherimides can be synthesized by the reaction of thebis(phthalimide) (8) with an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxysubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon of the formula HO—V—OH wherein V is asdescribed above, in the presence or absence of phase transfer catalyst.Suitable phase transfer catalysts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,229,482. Specifically, the dihydroxy substituted aromatic hydrocarbona bisphenol such as bisphenol A, or a combination of an alkali metalsalt of a bisphenol and an alkali metal salt of another dihydroxysubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon can be used.

In one embodiment, the polyetherimide comprises structural units offormula (5) wherein each R is independently p-phenylene or m-phenyleneor a mixture comprising at least one of the foregoing; and T is group ofthe formula —O—Z—O— wherein the divalent bonds of the —O—Z—O— group arein the 3,3′ positions, and Z is 2,2-diphenylenepropane group (abisphenol A group). Further, the polyetherimide sulfone comprisesstructural units of formula (6) wherein at least 50 mole % of the Rgroups are of formula (4) wherein Q is —SO₂— and the remaining R groupsare independently p-phenylene or m-phenylene or a combination comprisingat least one of the foregoing; and T is group of the formula —O—Z—O—wherein the divalent bonds of the —O—Z—O— group are in the 3,3′positions, and Z is a 2,2-diphenylenepropane group.

The polyetherimide and polyetherimide sulfone can be used alone or incombination. In one embodiment, only the polyetherimide is used. Inanother embodiment, the weight ratio of polyetherimide:polyetherimidesulfone can be from 99:1 to 50:50.

The polyimides can have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 5,000to 100,000 grams per mole (g/mole) as measured by gel permeationchromatography (GPC). In some embodiments the Mw can be 10,000 to80,000. The molecular weights as used herein refer to the absoluteweight averaged molecular weight (Mw).

The polyimides can have an intrinsic viscosity greater than or equal to0.2, deciliters per gram (dl/g) as measured in m-cresol at 25° C. Withinthis range the intrinsic viscosity can be 0.35 to 1.0 dl/g, as measuredin m-cresol at 25° C.

The polyimides can have a glass transition temperature of greater than180° C., specifically of 200° C. to 500° C., as measured usingdifferential scanning calorimetry (DSC) per ASTM test D3418. In someembodiments the polyimide, an in particular a polyetherimide has a glasstransition temperature of 240 to 350° C.

The polyimides can have a melt index of 0.1 to 10 grams per minute(g/min), as measured by American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) DI238 at 340 to 370° C., using a 6.7 kilogram (kg) weight.

One process for the preparation of polyetherimides having structure (1)is referred to as the nitro-displacement process (X is nitro in formula(8)). In one example of the nitro-displacement process, N-methylphthalimide is nitrated with 99% nitric acid to yield a mixture ofN-methyl-4-nitrophthalimide (4-NPI) and N-methyl-3-nitrophthalimide(3-NPI). After purification, the mixture, containing approximately 95parts of 4-NPI and 5 parts of 3-NPI, is reacted in toluene with thedisodium salt of bisphenol-A (BPA) in the presence of a phase transfercatalyst. This reaction yields BPA-bisimide and NaNO₂ in what is knownas the nitro-displacement step. After purification, the BPA-bisimide isreacted with phthalic anhydride in an imide exchange reaction to affordBPA-dianhydride (BPADA), which in turn is reacted with meta-phenylenediamine (MPD) in ortho-dichlorobenzene in an imidization-polymerizationstep to afford the product polyetherimide.

An alternative chemical route to polyetherimides having structure (1) isa process referred to as the chloro-displacement process (X is Cl informula (8)). The chloro-displacement process is illustrated as follows:4-chloro phthalic anhydride and meta-phenylene diamine are reacted inthe presence of a catalytic amount of sodium phenyl phosphinate catalystto produce the bischloro phthalimide of meta-phenylene diamine (CAS No.148935-94-8). The bischloro phthalimide is then subjected topolymerization by chloro-displacement reaction with the disodium salt ofBPA in the presence of a catalyst in ortho-dichlorobenzene or anisolesolvent. Alternatively, mixtures of 3-chloro- and 4-chlorophthalicanhydride may be employed to provide a mixture of isomeric bischlorophthalimides which may be polymerized by chloro-displacement with BPAdisodium salt as described above.

Siloxane polyetherimides can include polysiloxane/polyimide blockcopolymers having a siloxane content of greater than 0 and less than 40weight percent (wt %) based on the total weight of the block copolymer.The block copolymer comprises a siloxane block of Formula (1):

wherein R¹⁻⁶ are independently at each occurrence selected from thegroup consisting of substituted or unsubstituted, saturated,unsaturated, or aromatic monocyclic groups having 5 to 30 carbon atoms,substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, or aromaticpolycyclic groups having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, substituted orunsubstituted alkyl groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms and substitutedor unsubstituted alkenyl groups having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, V is atetravalent linker selected from the group consisting of substituted orunsubstituted, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic monocyclic andpolycyclic groups having 5 to 50 carbon atoms, substituted orunsubstituted alkyl groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl groups having 2 to 30 carbon atoms andcombinations comprising at least one of the foregoing linkers, g equals1 to 30, and d is 2 to 20. Commercially available siloxanepolyetherimides can be obtained from SABIC Innovative Plastics under thebrand name SILTEM* (*Trademark of SABIC Innovative Plastics IP B.V.)

The polyimide resin can have a weight average molecular weight (Mw)within a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range caninclude or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lowerlimit and/or upper limit can be selected from 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000,9000, 10000, 110.00, 12000, 13000, 14000, 15000, 16000, 17000, 18000,19000, 20000, 21000, 22000, 23000, 24000, 25000, 26000, 27000, 28000,29000, 30000, 31000, 32000, 33000, 34000, 35000, 36000, 37000, 38000,39000, 40000, 41000, 42000, 43000, 44000, 45000, 46000, 47000, 48000,49000, 50000, 51000, 52000, 53000, 54000, 55000, 56000, 57000, 58000,59000, 60000, 61000, 62000, 63000, 64000, 65000, 66000, 67000, 68000,69000, 70000, 71000, 72000, 73000, 74000, 75000, 76000, 77000, 78000,79000, 80000, 81000, 82000, 83000, 84000, 85000, 86000, 87000, 88000,89000, 90000, 91000, 92000, 93000, 94000, 95000, 96000, 97000, 98000,99000, 100000, 101000, 102000, 103000, 104000, 105000, 106000, 107000,108000, 109000, and 110000 daltons. For example, the polyimide resin canhave a weight average molecular weight (Mw) from 5,000 to 100,000daltons, from 5,000 to 80,000 daltons, or from 5,000 to 70,000 daltons.The primary alkyl amine modified polyimide will have lower molecularweight and higher melt flow than the starting, unmodified, polyimide.

The polyimide resin can be selected from the group consisting of apolyetherimide, for example as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,875,116;6,919,422 and 6,355,723 a silicone polyetherimide, for example asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,690,997: 4,808,686 a polyetherimidesulfone resin, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,041,773 and combinationsthereof, incorporated herein their entirety.

The polyimide resin can be a silicone polyetherimide comprising adimethyl silicone in an amount within a range having a lower limitand/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limitand/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can beselected from 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6,6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5, 11, 11.5, 12, 12.5, 13, 13.5, 14,14.5, 15, 15.5, 16, 16.5, 17, 17.5, 18, 18.5, 19, 19.5, 20, 20.5, 21,21.5, 22, 22.5, 23, 23.5, 24, 24.5, 25, 25.5, 26, 26.5, 27, 27.5, 28,28.5, 29, 29.5, 30, 30.5, 31, 31.5, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5, 34, 34.5, 35,35.5, 36, 36.5, 37, 37.5, 38, 38.5, 39, 39.5, 40, 40.5, 41, 41.5, 42,42.5, 43, 43.5, 44, 44.5, 45, 45.5, 46, 46.5, 47, 47.5, 48, 48.5, 49,49.5, 50, 50.5, 51, 51.5, 52, 52.5, 53, 53.5, 54, 54.5, 55, 55.5, 56,56.5, 57, 57.5, 58, 58.5, 59, 59.5, and 60 weight percent. For example,the polyimide resin can be a silicone polyetherimide comprising from 1to 40 weight percent of a dimethyl silicone, or from 5 to 40 weightpercent of a dimethyl silicone. The polyimide resin can be a siliconepolyetherimide comprising an amount of a dimethyl silicone, as describedabove, the dimethyl silicone can have a silicone block length within arange having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can includeor exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limitand/or upper limit can be selected from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65,66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75 silicone repeat units. Forexample, the polyimide resin can be a silicone polyetherimide comprisingfrom 5 to 40 repeat units of a dimethyl silicone, that is, having asilicone block length of 5 to 50 repeat units.

The polyimide resin can have a glass transition temperature within arange having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can includeor exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limitand/or upper limit can be selected from 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150,160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290,and 300 degrees Celsius. For example, the polyimide resin can have aglass transition temperature (Tg) greater than about 200 degreesCelsius.

The polyimide resin can be substantially free of benzylic protons. Thepolyimide resin can be free of benzylic protons. The polyimide resin canhave an amount of benzylic protons below 100 ppm. In one embodiment, theamount of benzylic protons ranges from more than 0 to below 100 ppm. Inanother embodiment, the amount of benzylic protons is not detectable.

The polyimide resin can be substantially free of halogen atoms. Thepolyimide resin can be free of halogen atoms. The polyimide resin canhave an amount of halogen atoms below 100 ppm. In one embodiment, theamount of halogen atoms ranges from more than 0 to below 100 ppm. Inanother embodiment, the amount of halogen atoms is not detectable.

The organic compound can comprise at least one primary aliphatic amine.The primary aliphatic amine can be without a direct linkage of anitrogen to an aryl group. Exemplary amines are primary alkyl amine suchas stearyl amine, decyl amine, dodecyl amine, tetradecyl amine,3-methyl-1-octyl amine, 3-ethyl-hexyl amine, 4-phenyl butyl amine,2,7-diphenyl heptyl amine, 1 methyl-3-phenyl amine, amino hexanoic acidand the like. In some instances the primary amine will be a C₁₀-C₂₀alkyl amine

The primary aliphatic amine can be without a functionality selected froma halogen functionality, a hydroxyl functionality, a sulfonic acidfunctionality, a sulfonic acid salt functionality, and combinationsthereof.

The organic compound can comprise a primary aliphatic amine having acarbon chain length within a range having a lower limit and/or an upperlimit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upperlimit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44,45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50. For example, the organic compound cancomprise a C₆ to C₃₆ primary aliphatic amine.

The organic compound can comprise a primary aliphatic amine, such as aC₆ to C₃₆ primary aliphatic amine, in an amount within a range having alower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude thelower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limitcan be selected from 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1,1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5,2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4,4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5,5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 7,7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7, 7.8, 7.9, 8, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5,8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 8.9, 9, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, 9.7, 9.8, 9.9, 10,10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 11, 11.1, 11.2,11.3, 11.4, 11.5, 11.6, 11.7, 11.8, 11.9, 12, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4,12.5, 12.6, 12.7, 12.8, 12.9, 13, 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, 13.6,13.7, 13.8, 13.9, 14, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8,14.9, 15, 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5, 15.6, 15.7, 15.8, 15.9, 16,16.1, 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 16.6, 16.7, 16.8, 16.9, 17, 17.1, 17.2,17.3, 17.4, 17.5, 17.6, 17.7, 17.8, 17.9, 18, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.4,18.5, 18.6, 18.7, 18.8, 18.9, 19, 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.4, 19.5, 19.6,19.7, 19.8, 19.9, and 20 weight percent. For example, the organiccompound can comprise from 0.1 to 10.0 weight percent, or from 0.1 to5.0 weight percent of a C₆ to C₃₆ primary aliphatic amine.

The organic compound can be a primary aliphatic amine further comprisinga carboxylic acid functionality, Exemplary amino carboxylic acids are;amino hexanoic acids, amino octanoic acids, amino decanoic acids, aminoethyl benzoic acids, asparagine, glutamic acid, alanine and mixturesthereof.

The aryl amine/alkyl imide functionalized polyimide can have a meltviscosity (MV) as measured by ASTM4440 at 340 degrees Celsius that islower than the melt viscosity of the polyimide resin by a percentagewithin a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range caninclude or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lowerlimit and/or upper limit can be selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,28, 29, and 30 percent. For example, the aryl amine functionalizedpolyimide can have a melt viscosity as measured by ASTM4440 at 340degrees Celsius that is at least 15% lower than the polyimide resin.

The aryl amine/alkyl imide functionalized polyimide can have a melt flowindex (MVR) as measured by ASTM D1238 with a 6.7 Kg weight at 337degrees Celsius within a range having a lower limit and/or an upperlimit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upperlimit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22,23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40,41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58,59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76,77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94,95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145,and 150 cc/10 min. For example, the aryl amine/alkyl imidefunctionalized polyimide can have a melt flow index as measured by ASTMD1238 with a 6.7 Kg weight at 337 degrees Celsius of from 5.0 to 100.0cc/10 min.

The aryl amine functionalized polyimide can have a glass transitiontemperature (Tg) within a range having a lower limit and/or an upperlimit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upperlimit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be, selected from 150,155, 160, 165, 170, 175; 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220,225, 230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285, 290,295, and 300 degrees. Celsius. For example, the aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide can have a glass transition temperature (Tg)greater than about 180 degrees Celsius. Tg may be determined bydifferential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as described in ASTM D3418.

The resultant aryl amine functionalized polyimide can be end-capped withan alkyl imide functionality having a number of carbon atoms within arange having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can includeor exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limitand/or upper limit can be selected from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47,48, 49, and 50. For example, the resultant aryl amine functionalizedpolyimide can be end-capped with a C₆ to C₃₆ alkyl imide functionality.

Still other embodiments relate to an aryl amine functionalizedpolyimide, having aryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydridefunctionality. The aryl amine functionalized polyimide can have an arylamine content that is a mole percentage of the aryl amine functionalizedpolyimide, the mole percentage can be within a range having a lowerlimit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lowerlimit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can beselected from 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5,0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85, 0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.05, 1.1, 1.15,1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.35, 1.4, 1.45, 1.5, 1.55, 1.6, 1.65, 1.7, 1.75, 1.8,1.85, 1.9, 1.95, 2, 2.05, 2.1, 2.15, 2.2, 2.25, 2.3, 2.35, 2.4, 2.45,2.5, 2.55, 2.6, 2.65, 2.7, 2.75, 2.8, 2.85, 2.9, 2.95, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3,3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9,9.5 and 10 mole percent. For example, the aryl amine functionalizedpolyimide can have an aryl amine content of from 0.15 to 3.0 molepercent, or from 0.3 to 1.5 mole percent, of the aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide. The concentration of amine and anhydride endgroups can be analyzed by various titration and spectroscopic methodswell known in the art. Spectroscopic methods include, infrared, nuclearmagnetic resonance, Raman spectroscopy, and fluorescence. Examples ofinfrared methods are described in J. A. Kreuz, et al, J. Poly. Sci. PartA-1, vol. 4, pp. 2067 2616 (1966). Examples of titration methods aredescribed in Y. J. Kim, et al, Macromolecules, vol. 26, pp. 1344 1358(1993). It may be advantageous to make derivatives of polymer end groupsto enhance measurement sensitivity using variations of methods asdescribed in K. P. Chan et al., Macromolecules, vol. 27, p. 6731 (1994)and J. S. Chao, Polymer Bull., vol. 17, p. 397 (1987).

Various embodiments relate to compositions made by the above-describedprocesses. For example, some embodiments relate to an aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide composition made by the above-describedprocess. Such a resin can be end capped with an alkyl imidefunctionality having an number of carbon atoms within a range having alower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude thelower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limitcan be selected from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34,35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50. Forexample, the resin can be end-capped with a C₆ to C₃₆ alkyl imidefunctionality.

Other embodiments relate to an aryl amine functionalized polyimidecomposition made by the above-described process, wherein the resin has achange in melt viscosity (MV) of its initial value after held, in themelt for 30 minutes at 340 degrees Celsius as per ASTM D 4440. Thechange in melt viscosity can be within a range having a lower limitand/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude the lower limitand/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can beselected from 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38,39, and 40 percent of the initial polyimide melt viscosity. For example,the resin can have a change in melt viscosity of less than 20% of itsinitial value after held in the melt for 30 minutes at 340 degreesCelsius as per ASTM D 4440.

Still other embodiments relate to an aryl amine functionalizedpolyimide, having aryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydridefunctionality.

The aryl amine functionalized polyimide can have melt viscosity (MV) asmeasured by ASTM4440 at 340 degrees Celsius that is lower than the meltviscosity of the polyimide resin by a percentage within a range having alower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude thelower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limitcan be selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, and 30 percent.For example, the aryl amine functionalized polyimide can have meltviscosity as measured by ASTM4440 at 340 degrees Celsius that is atleast 15% lower than the polyimide resin.

The aryl amine functionalized polyimide can have a melt flow index (MVR)as measured by ASTM D1238 with a 6.7 Kg weight at 337 degrees Celsiuswithin a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range caninclude or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lowerlimit and/or upper limit can be selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45,46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63,64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81,82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99,100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 115, 120, 125,130, 135, 140, 145, and 150 cc/10 min. For example, the aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide can have a melt flow index as measured by ASTMD1238 with a 6.7 Kg weight at 337 degrees Celsius of from 5.0 to 100.0cc/10 min.

The aryl amine functionalized polyimide can have a glass transitiontemperature (Tg) within a range having a lower limit and/or an upperlimit. The range can include or exclude the lower limit and/or the upperlimit. The lower limit and/or upper limit can be selected from 150, 155,160, 165, 170, 175, 180, 185, 190, 195, 200, 205, 210, 215, 220, 225,230, 235, 240, 245, 250, 255, 260, 265, 270, 275, 280, 285, 290, 295,and 300 degrees Celsius. For example, the aryl amine functionalizedpolyimide can have a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater thanabout 180 degrees Celsius.

The aryl amine functionalized polyimide can be end capped with an alkylimide functionality having a number of carbon atoms within a rangehaving a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include orexclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/orupper limit can be selected from 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31,32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49,and 50. For example, the aryl amine functionalized polyimide can be endcapped with a C₆ to C₃₆ alkyl imide functionality.

The aryl amine functionalized polyimide can have an aryl amine contentrelated to the aryl amine functionalized polyimide by a mole percentagewithin a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range caninclude or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lowerlimit and/or upper limit can be selected from 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2,0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.55, 0.6, 0.65, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.85,0.9, 0.95, 1, 1.05, 1.1, 1.15, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.35, 1.4, 1.45, 1.5,1.55, 1.6, 1.65, 1.7, 1.75, 1.8, 1.85, 1.9, 1.95, 2, 2.05, 2.1, 2.15,2.2, 2.25, 2.3, 2.35, 2.4, 2.45, 2.5, 2.55, 2.6, 2.65, 2.7, 2.75, 2.8,2.85, 2.9, 2.95, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.5,5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, and 10 mole percent. Forexample, the aryl amine functionalized polyimide can have an aryl aminecontent of from 0.15 to 3.0 mole, or from 0.3 to 1.5 mole percent, ofthe aryl amine functionalized polyimide.

Further embodiments relate to articles comprising an alkyl imide andaryl amine functionalized polyimide, having an aryl amine functionalityin excess of any anhydride functionality. The alkyl imide and aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide can be produced by the above-described process.

The article can be selected from the group consisting of a fiber, afilm, a sheet, an adhesive, molded parts and combinations thereof.

The article can be a fiber having a denier per filament (dpf) within arange having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can includeor exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limitand/or upper limit can be selected from 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6,0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1,2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5,7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, and 10 dpf. For example, the article can be afiber having a denier per filament (dpf) of less than or equal to 2.0.The fiber can have any cross-section, for example, circular, oval, starshaped, crescent, double horse shoe, bilobe, trilobe or the like. Thefiber may also be hollow having one or more channels.

The article can be a fiber having a tenacity within a range having alower limit and/or an upper limit. The range can include or exclude thelower limit and/or the upper limit. The lower limit and/or upper limitcan be selected from 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1,1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5,5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, and 10 g/denier. For example, thearticle can be a fiber having a tenacity of greater than or equal togreater than 1.0 g/denier, or of greater than or equal to 1.5 g/denier.

The article can be a fiber having shrinkage at 180 degrees Celsiuswithin a range having a lower limit and/or an upper limit. The range caninclude or exclude the lower limit and/or the upper limit. The lowerlimit and/or upper limit can be selected from 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5,0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2,2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5, and 10percent. For example, the article can be a fiber having shrinkage at 180degrees Celsius of less than 1.0%.

The article can be a fiber, and the article can further comprise a fiberfinish, or coating, selected from the group consisting of polyethers,polyesters, polyamides, silicones, urethanes, polyolefins, epoxides,acrylates, polyols, alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid salts amides,esters, alkyl sulfonates, amines, ammonium salts, phosphates,phosphites, and combinations thereof. The fiber finish can be applied byany convention means. In some preferred instances the fiber coating willbe an aqueous suspension, emulsion or solution.

Alternatively, the article can be a fabric made from fibers made fromour composition. Fabrics can be made by any suitable method, e.g.,knitting or weaving, spreading, crocheting, or bonding that may be usedin production of fabrics having desired features.

Advantageously, our invention now provides useful previously unavailablebenefits. The use of our terminated PEI enables the production of resinsthat unexpectedly and remarkably, relatively higher flow and meltstability properties, as compared to a polyetherimide that is notsimilarly terminated. Our material enables makes it possible to makefibers with a combination of useful properties and makes it possible tospin fibers having low denier features for extended periods of time.

EXAMPLES

The purpose of Examples 1 to 35 was to make aryl amine terminatedpolyetherimides, polyetherimide sulfones and silicone polyetherimides.Examples of the invention are designated by numbers, letters designatecomparative control Examples.

Techniques & Procedures

Blends were prepared by extrusion of mixtures of octadecyl amine(C₁₈NH₂), with polyetherimides (ULTEM 1000, 1010 and 1040),polyetherimide sulfones (ULTEM XH6050 or U1) or a silicone polyimidecopolymer (SILTEM STM1700) resin in a 30 mm co-rotating twin screwextruder with six barrel sections. In some instances 6-amino hexanoicacid (AHA) or bis(3-amino propyl)polydimethyl siloxane (G10) was mixedwith the polyetherimide (PEI) resins. The mixtures were prepared bymixing either PEI pellets, fine grind powders or a mixture of the two,with the powdered octadecyl amine or AHA and then tumble blending for atleast 10 minutes at room temperature. In the case of the liquid G10additive, PEI pellets were first coated with the liquid and mixed andthen a second portion of powdered PEI resin was added to the coatedpellets, this facilitated feeding to the extruder. Compositions arelisted in the tables as wt. % of the total composition unless notedotherwise. The blends were fed into an extruder run at about 300 rpm.The extruder was vented to the atmosphere, no external vacuum wasapplied. The extruder was set at about 250 to 330° C. for the ULTEM1000, 1010, 1040 or the Siltem STM1700 blends. The ULTEM XH6050 or U1blends were extruded hotter (300 to 370° C. for XH6050 or 300 to 400° C.for U1) due to their higher Tg. The chemically modified extrudate wascooled in a water bath, pelletized and dried at 150° C. Test sampleswere injection molded at a set temperature of 300 to 360° C. and a moldtemperature of 120° C. using a 30 sec. cycle time. All molded sampleswere conditioned for at least 48 h at 50% relative humidity prior totesting.

Properties were measured using ASTM test methods. Melt flow (MVR) wasrun on dried pellets as per ASTM D1238 at 300, 337 or 400° C. using a6.7 Kg weight with either a 6 minute or 18 minute equilibration. MVR wasmeasured as cc/10 minutes. Higher values indicate higher melt flow.Viscosity vs. shear rate (MVM) was run on a capillary rheometry at 300,340, 350 or 400° C. as per ASTM test method D3835 using a shear rate ofabout 30 to 7000 1/sec. MVM viscosity was measured in Pascal seconds(Pa-s). Lower values indicate higher melt flow. Viscosity vs. time, alsoknown as melt dwell or time sweep, was run using a parallelplate/cone-plate fixture rheometer at 300, 340 or 350° C. for 30 minutesat 10 radians/sec. under nitrogen as per ASTM D4440. Viscosity at theonset (after a 6 minute equilibration) and end of the test (30 minutesafter equilibration) were compared to show the relative stability of themolten polymer. Viscosity was measured as poise (P).

Molecular weight was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) asper ASTM method D5296. Molecular weight is reported as both weightaverage (Mw) and number average (Mn) molecular weight. Polystyrenestandards were used for calibration. The glass transition temperature(Tg) was measured using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as perASTM method D3418 at a 20° C./min. heating rate. Tg was recorded on thesecond heat. Tensile strength was measured on injection molded parts asper ASTM method D638 and is reported as mega Pascals (MPa). Tensilemodulus was measured as tangent, tensile strength is reported at yield(Y) and percent elongation (% E) reported at break. Crosshead speed was50 mm/min. Notched Izod (NI) and reversed notched Izod (RNI) weremeasured as per ASTM D256 using a 5 lb hammer. Multiaxial impact (MAI)was measured on 3.2 mm disc as per as ASTM D3763; total impact energy isreported as Joules (J). Heat distortion temperature (HDT) was measuredon 3.2 mm bars at 66 or 264 psi as per ASTM method D648 and reported asdegrees centigrade (° C.). Optical properties; percent transmission (%T), percent haze (% H) and yellowness index (YI), were measured on asmolded 3.2 mm discs as per ASTM method D1003.

31P NMR analysis, using phosphorous functionalization of thepolyetherimide end groups, was used to characterize the resins. A samplewas dissolved in CDCl3 (deutero chloroform) with pyridine and chromium(III) AcAc (acetylacetonate); trichloro phenol was used as a standard.The active phosphorylating agent, which derivatized the amine andcarboxylic acid functionality into phosphorous containing species, waso-phenylene phosphorochloridite (CAS#1641-40-3). The resin solutionswere allowed to react for at least 15 minutes, converted into theirphosphorus derivatives and analyzed by NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance).Phosphorus 31 isotope signals were observed and quantified vs. thetrichloro phenol standard. The chemical shifts were 135.7 ppm for thearyl amine (NH₂) and 129.3 ppm for the aliphatic carboxylic acid (COON).No signals were observed in the resin samples for the alkyl aminestarting materials; octadecyl amine, amino hexanoic acid or G10.

PEI stoichiometry (IR Stoic. NH₂ excess) was measured on ˜0.5 mm pressedfilms using a FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra Red) spectrometer. The aminepeak at 3381 cm⁻¹ was measured and compared to the anhydride groupabsorbance at 1901 cm⁻¹. Using the molar absorption values measured frommodel compounds the end group concentrations (mole % amine and mole %anhydride) were determined. The difference in the amine minus anhydridewas calculated and reported as IR stoic NH₂ excess. The values are theaverage of at least two points from the same film and reported as mole %of the polymer.

Fiber tensile strength and tenacity were measured as per ASTM D2256,tensile strength reported as mega Pascals (MPa), tenacity is reported asgrams/denier (g/d). Percent fiber shrinkage was tested at 180 and 200°C. as per ASTM D2259.

The Materials used to make the make aryl amine terminatedpolyetherimides polyetherimide sulfones and silicone polyetherimides ofthe Examples are described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 CAS Material Description Number Vendor U1000 ULTEM 1000 apolymer of SABIC bisphenol-A dianhydride  61128-46-9 Innovative andm-phenylene diamine, Plastics Mw ~54 K U1010 ULTEM 1010 a polymer of 61128-46-9 SABIC bisphenol-A dianhydride Innovative and m-phenylenediamine, Plastics Mw ~44 K U1040 ULTEM 1040 a polymer of  61128-46-9SABIC bisphenol-A dianhydride Innovative and m-phenylene diamine,Plastics Mw ~32 K U6050 EXTEM XH6050 a polymer  77699-82-2 SABIC ofbisphenol-A dianhydride Innovative and diamine diphenyl Plasticssulfone, Mw ~38 K U1 U1 a polymer of 859766-55-5 SABIC oxydiphthalicdianhydride Innovative and diamine diphenyl Plastics sulfone, Mw ~20 KSTM1700 SILTEM STM1700 a  99904-16-2 SABIC polymer of bisphenol-AInnovative dianhydride, m-phenylene Plastics diamine and ~20 wt %bis(3-amino propyl) polydimethyl siloxane, Mw ~39 K G10 bis(3-aminopropyl) 106214-84-0 Sigma terminated polydimethyl Aldrich siloxane, ~10silicone repeat Chemical units Mw ~700 C₁₈NH₂ Armeen 18D, octadecyl  124-30-1 Akzo amine (C₁₈H₃₇NH₂) Nobel AHA 6-amino hexanoic acid  60-32-2 Sigma Aldrich Chemical

Example 1-13

The results we obtained to prepare polyetherimides with both aryl amineand octadecyl imide end groups are shown in Tables 2 to 6.

TABLE 2 PEI U1010 with Octadecyl Amine Example A 1 2 3 4 5 CompositionU1010 0.1% 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 1.0% PEI C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂MVR 6 min 337° C. 17.4 21.5 28.0 39.9 50.1 82.2 6.7 Kg MVR 18 min 337°C. 17.5 22.3 30.0 41.8 50.2 82.6 6.7 Kg Visc MV (P) 15341 13434 97397707 5846 3726 dwell 340° C. start Visc MV (P) 15326 13442 9884 77265787 3598 dwell 340° C./30 min. GPC Mw 44033 42938 40658 38801 3764735574 GPC Mn 18325 18338 17723 16685 16819 16443 % reduction Mw 0 2.57.7 11.9 14.5 19.2 Tg DSC ° C. 218.4 217.2 214.5 212.9 211.3 207.9 IRStoic NH2 −0.03 0.04 0.14 0.36 0.48 0.68 excess, mole % 31P NMR NH₂ 13not run not run not run 60 148 ppm T Mod MPa 3860 3920 3910 3950 39603930 T Str (Y) MPa 114 113 108 101 99 105 % T 3.2 mm 64.9 63.4 63.1 68.270.6 71.7 % H 3.0 1.7 2.2 2.5 2.2 2.4

Discussion

Our results show that our aryl-amine terminated PEI exhibits,unexpectedly and remarkably, relatively higher flow and melt stabilityproperties, as compared to a polyetherimide that is not aryl-amine andoctadecyl imide terminated. Melt Stability results are evidenced by thedwell test. Higher flow properties are evidenced by melt viscosityresults.

More particularly, Examples 1 to 5 in Table 2 show the modification ofpolyetherimide ULTEM1010 with 0.01 to 1.0 wt. % octadecyl amine. After asingle pass through the extruder the modified resins (Examples 1 to 5)show a higher melt flow than the control Example A, as evidenced by anincrease in MVR at 337° C. from 17.4 to 82.2 cc/g. In addition themodified resins show very good melt stability with only a small changein MVR comparing 6 to 18 minute melt residence. Likewise after a 30 min.melt dwell at 340° C. there is little change between the initial (start)and final (30 min.) melt viscosity (MV). This stable melt viscosityindicates that any chemical reaction that may have occurred duringextrusion is essentially complete and there is little, if any, furtherchange in the modified PEI resin melt viscosity. Also note that whilethe octadecyl amine level is only slightly changed from 0.1 to 1.0 wt %in Examples 1 to 5 the starting melt viscosity (MV) at 340° C. issharply lower going from 15431 to 3726 poise (P). Further the modifiedresins of Example 1 to 5 retain clarity and have slightly improvedpercent transmission (% T) and lower haze (% H). Tensile strength andmodulus are retained or slightly improved. The glass transitiontemperature (Tg) is slightly reduced for the modified PEI resins, buteven with 1 wt % octadecyl amine is still above 200° C.

Chemical analysis by infra-red (IR) spectroscopy shows that there is anincrease in the aryl amine functionality of the modified PEI resins ofExample 1 to 5 compared to the control Example A. Example A has anexcess of anhydride functionally over amine end groups giving a negativeamine stoichiometry value of −0.03 mole %. The modified resins 1 to 5show the amine excess increasing to as high as 0.68 mole %. Likewise aphosphorous NMR (31P NMR) analysis of the phosphorus derivatives of themodified resins 4 and 5 show an increase in the aryl amine signal from13 ppm aryl amine in control Example. A to 60 and 148 ppm respectivelyin Examples 4 and 5.

In a further characterization Examples 1 to 5 were compared to controlExample A in terms of their viscosity vs. shear rate (MVM) at 340° C.Table 3 shows that with higher levels of octadecyl amine the modifiedPEI resins show improved melt flow (lower viscosity than Example A) at awide range of shear rates (29 to 7018 1/sec.) normally encountered inmelt forming processes such as injection molding.

TABLE 3 MVM Viscosity vs. Shear Rate U1010 w Octadecyl Amine Example A 12 3 4 5 Composition U1010 0.1% 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 1.0% Shear Rate PEI C₁₈NH₂C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ (1/sec.) Shear Viscosity (Pa-s) at 340° C.29 2089 1636 1238 996 732 443 53 2016 1713 1352 983 804 453 99 1851 16061193 980 735 438 200 1518 1319 1031 791 608 419 292 1346 1209 959 767620 408 501 1085 963 780 644 517 346 642 957 850 703 586 479 317 1002756 680 571 490 407 285 1503 590 540 460 403 339 248 3008 391 357 313277 236 182 5011 262 243 214 193 165 131 7018 203 191 171 153 133 108

In Table 4 (Examples 6 to 9) the blends of polyetherimide U1010 (controlExample B) are combined with higher amounts (1.0 to 5.0 wt. %) ofoctadecyl amine. The higher levels of octadecyl amine give an evenlarger increase in melt flow as seen in yet higher MVR (as high as 129cc/10 min) and lower initial MV (as low as 441 P with 3% octadecyl aminein Example 8). Note that for these very high flow PEI resins the MVR wasrun at 300° C. as opposed to the 337° C. temperature used in Table 2.With 5% octadecyl amine (Example 9) the melt flow was so high it couldnot be measured at 340° C. using the melt dwell apparatus. The IRstoichiometry and 31P NMR show a very large increase in aryl aminefunctionality of the modified resins Examples 6 to 9. With higheroctadecyl amine the Tg is reduced compared to control Example B, buteven with 5 wt. % octadecyl amine the Tg is above 185° C.

TABLE 4 U1010 w Higher Amounts of Octadecyl Amine Example B 6 7 8 9Composition U1010 1% 2% 3% 5% PEI C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ MVR 300°C. 6 min 2.0 8.8 38.6 123 129.0 6.7 Kg MVR 300° C. 18 min 2.7 9.5 43.8143 162.0 6.7 Kg GPC Mw 43802 35605 29466 26731 26275 GPC Mn 18933 1614113203 11632 10937 Visc MV (P) dwell 16947 4155 1040 441 too low 340° C.start Visc MV (P) dwell 17253 4056 967 423 too low 340° C., 30 min. IRStoic NH₂ excess, −0.60 0.68 1.77 2.93 3.33 mole % 31P NMR NH₂ ppm 48218 472 673 691 Tg DSC ° C. 218.6 210.1 200.0 190.6 187.8

Table 5 shows the efficacy of using octadecyl amine with a low moleculeweigh PEI resin, ULTEM 1040 (control Example C) to make even lowermolecular weight, higher flow resins Examples 10 to 13. With 0.3 to 1.0wt. % octadecyl amine the MVR is increased from 12.4 to 27.8 cc/10 min.Note that in order to accommodate these very high flow resin the MVR wasrun at 300 vs. 337° C. The modified resins continue to show good meltstability with little change in MV after 30 minute dwell at 300 or 340°C. The IR stoichiometry shows an increase in aryl amine functionalityfor Examples 10 to 13. Tg is above 200° C. for all modified resins.

TABLE 5 U1040 w Octadecyl Amine Example C 10 11 12 13 Composition 0.3%0.5% 0.7% 1.0% U1040 C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ MVR 300° C. 6 min 9.112.4 15.8 20.3 27.8 6.7 Kg MVR 300° C. 18 min 9.4 12.9 16.9 21.5 27.86.7 Kg Visc MV (P) dwell 39203 29021 23782 18620 13160 300° C. startVisc MV (P) dwell 39779 28633 22583 17197 11499 300° C., 30 min. Visc MV(P) dwell 3956 2582 2067 1783 1348 340° C. start Visc MV (P) dwell 40142586 2079 1789 1361 340° C., 30 min. GPC Mw (PS stds) 31826 29745 3008729476 28460 GPC Mn 14214 12690 13857 13213 12895 IR Stoic NH₂ excess,−0.098 0.167 0.277 0.474 0.708 mole % Tg DSC ° C. 216.9 212.8 209.0207.6 202.7

In a further characterization Examples 10 to 13 were compared to controlExample C in terms of their viscosity vs. shear rate (MVM) at 300° C.Table 6 shows that with higher levels of octadecyl amine the modifiedPEI resins show improved melt flow (lower viscosity than Example C) at awide range of shear rates (34 to 7008 1/sec.) normally encountered inmelt processes such as injection molding.

TABLE 6 MVM Viscosity vs. Shear Rate for Ultem 1040 w Octadecyl AmineExample C 10 11 12 13 Composition U1040 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 1.0% PEI C₁₈NH₂C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ Shear Rate (1/Sec.) Shear Viscosity (Pa-s) 300° C.34 2910 2862 2147 2363 1828 55 3328 2620 2225 2093 1583 97 3150 24262025 1955 1483 202 2382 1933 1632 1583 1202 296 2053 1664 1496 1429 1117503 1557 1287 1148 1117 899 645 1364 1111 1005 973 812 999 1065 869 793770 656 1499 892 737 642 624 538 3008 645 533 474 457 397 5012 392 328296 286 256 7008 515 264 231 225 200

Examples 14-19

The purpose of these Examples (Tables 7 to 10) was to evaluatearyl-amine terminated and alkyl-imide (octa decyl imide) terminatedpolyetherimide sulfones with improved melt flow.

The invention was further extended to the polyetherimide sulfone (PEIS)resin ULTEM XH6050. Table 7 shows improved flow in Examples 14 to 18with 0.3 to 1.5 wt. % octadecyl amine compared to the polyetherimidesulfone control Example D. MVR at 337° C. is improved from 5.2 cc/10min. to as much as 50.9 cc/10 min. The initial melt viscosity (MV) at340° C. for Examples 14 to 18 in the dwell test is also significantlylower than the control Example D.

The small changes in MV after 30 minutes and MVR after 18 minutes showthe modified PEIS resins (14 to 18) to have good melt stability at 340°C. and indicate that any chemical modification has largely beencompleted after extrusion. The IR stoichiometry and 31P NMR show anincrease in aryl amine content for the modified resins. Tg of themodified polyetherimide sulfone resins is at least 220° C.

TABLE 7 PEI XH6050 w Octadecyl Amine Example D 14 15 16 17 18Composition U6050 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 1.0% 1.5% C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂C₁₈NH₂ MVR 6 min 337° C. 5.2 8.7 11.7 16.6 25.2 50.9 6.7 Kg MVR 18 min337° C. 5.2 8.7 11.7 16.6 25.2 52.5 6.7 Kg Visc MV (P) dwell 46397 3303823934 17758 11418 5826 340° C. start Visc MV (P) dwell 44024 28344 2038915272 10392 5212 340° C., 30 min. GPC Mw 37639 33744 32171 30316 2853025563 (PS stds) GPC Mn 17609 14175 13696 13514 13551 12049 % reductionMw 0% −10.3% −14.5% −19.5% −24.2% −32.1% Tg DSC ° C. 241.4 238.4 236.0234.1 231.1 224.1 IR Stoic NH₂ 0.77 1.15 1.59 1.81 2.35 3.20 excess,mole % 31P NMR NH₂ 172 277 360 418 499 664 ppm

Examples 14 to 18 were further characterized by comparing theirviscosity vs. shear rate (MVM) at 350° C. to the unmodifiedpolyetherimide sulfone (PEIS) control Example D. Table 8 shows that withhigher levels of octadecyl amine the modified PEIS resins show improvedmelt flow (lower viscosity than Example D) at a wide range of shearrates (29 to 7018 1/sec.) that are normally encountered in meltprocesses such as injection molding.

TABLE 8 MVM Viscosity vs. Shear Rate U6050 PEIS Example D 14 15 16 17 18Composition 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 1.0% 1.5% Shear Rate U6050 C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ (1/sec.) Shear Viscosity (Pa-s) 350° C. 29 34282276 1763 1318 967 377 53 3321 2295 1753 1333 893 470 100 2931 2142 16141187 853 462 201 2278 1743 1315 1060 768 394 295 1998 1522 1217 970 706397 501 1498 1192 970 804 613 360 643 1310 1051 851 731 559 342 10041014 829 688 602 474 302 1501 813 652 554 499 396 263 3006 577 454 377342 277 194 5011 371 293 256 233 194 138 7018 307 236 207 184 154 113

The invention was further extended to the very high Tg U1 polyetherimidesulfone made form oxydiphthalic anhydride and diamino diphenyl sulfone.The U1 resin was extruded at 400° C. with 0.3 wt. % octadecyl amine toprepare the improved flow modified resin of Example 19. The MVR at 400°C. is increased from 1.9 to 3.9 cc/10 min. The Tg is above 285° C.

TABLE 9 U1 with Octadecy Amine Example E 19 Composition U1 0.3% C₁₈NH₂MVR 400° C. 6 min 6.7 Kg 1.9 3.9 Tg DSC ° C. 290.9 285.8

The improved flow of the modified U1 polyetherimide sulfone resin ofExample 19 is further demonstrated in comparing the viscosity vs. shear(MVM) at 400° C. to the unmodified control Example E (Table 10). Notethe lower viscosity (measured in Pa-s) at all shear rates.

TABLE 10 MVM Viscosity vs. Shear for U1 PEIS Example E 19 Composition U1U1 + 0.3% C₁₈NH₂ Shear Rate (1/sec.) Shear Viscosity (Pa-s) 400° C. 267809 3684 51 6316 3079 100 4885 2461 201 3738 1825 301 3023 1513 5012299 1181 641 1949 1051 1002 1449 850 1504 1141 695 3007 740 478 5011484 316 7017 399 259

Examples 20-23

The purpose of these Examples (Tables 11 and 12) was to evaluatearyl-amine terminated and carboxylic acid alkyl-imide terminatedpolyetherimides with improved melt flow.

In Examples 20 to 23 (Table 11) the U1040 resin is modified with 0.3 to1.0% amino hexanoic acid (AHA) by melt extrusion at ˜340° C. In theseExamples the AHA reacts with the PEI resin to improve flow as seen byhigh MVR values at 300° C. and lower initial MV dwell values at 340° C.In addition there is also an increase for both the IR stoichiometry andthe ³¹P NMR NH2 aryl amine functionality as shown by higher amine valuesfor Examples 20 to 23 compared to the Example F control. In addition theAHA introduces a new aliphatic carboxylic acid functionality. Thisaliphatic COOH group gives an additional 31P NMR signal at 129.1 ppm.The Tg is above 200° C. for all the AHA modified resins. Surprisinglyboth the aryl amine and alkyl carboxylic acid, that might be expected tofurther react with each other, are both present in the modified resins.

Then MV dwell for 30 minutes at 340° C. show little change indicatinglittle, if any, reaction even with the aryl amine and carboxylic acidgroups present.

TABLE 11 U1040 w Amino Hexanoic Acid Example F 20 21 22 23 Composition0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 1.0% U1040 AHA AHA AHA AHA MVR 6 min 300° C. 9.1 11.713.9 17.0 22.3 6.7 Kg MVR 18 min 300° C. 8.7 11.7 13.7 16.4 22.7 6.7 KgVisc MV (P) dwell 4158 3096 2641 2401 1746 340° C. start Visc MV (P)dwell 4104 2937 2552 2351 1687 340° C., 30 min. % MV retention 97.7%94.9% 96.6% 97.9% 96.6% GPC Mw (PS stds) 31994 30973 30156 29408 28274GPC Mn 14251 13507 12642 13284 12222 % reduction Mw   0%  3.2%  5.7% 8.1% 11.6% Tg DSC ° C. 214.3 211.2 208.9 207.7 204.1 IR Stoic NH₂excess, −0.104 0.186 0.454 0.685 1.079 mole % 31P NMR aryl 24.2 48.574.7 136.9 148.2 NH₂ ppm 31P NMR alkyl 0.0 80.3 115.4 255.5 331.2 COONppm

Examples 20 to 23 modified with amino hexanoic acid were furthercharacterized by comparing their viscosity vs. shear rate (MVM) at 340°C. to the polyetherimide. U1040 control Example F. Table 12 shows thatwith higher levels of amino hexanoic acid the modified PEI resins showimproved melt flow (lower viscosity than Example F) at a wide range ofshear rates (26 to 7016 1/sec.) that are normally encountered in meltprocesses such as injection molding.

TABLE 12 MVM Visc. vs Shear U1040 w Amino Hexanoic Acid Example F 20 2122 23 Composition 0.3% 0.5% 0.7% 1.0% U1040 AHA AHA AHA AHA Shear Rate(1/sec.) Shear Viscosity (Pa-s) 340° C. 26 671 420 327 327 218 51 653409 361 319 247 100 599 397 354 302 237 201 513 377 320 283 218 300 488355 300 264 211 501 437 322 283 246 195 641 412 308 270 236 187 1003 357267 243 216 174 1504 301 235 215 194 159 3007 211 176 162 150 126 5011153 128 119 112 95 7016 124 106 98 93 81

Examples 24-35

The purpose of these Examples (Tables 13-17) was to evaluate aryl-amineterminated silicone polyetherimide copolymers with improved melt flow.

Examples 24 to 27 show the melt reaction of 0.3 to 1.0 wt. % octadecylamine with the silicone polyetherimide copolymer SILTEM STM1700. The IRstoichiometry shows an increase in the aryl amine functionality forExamples 24 to 27 vs. the control Example G. As can be seen in comparingExample 24 to 27 to the unmodified control resin Example G the MVR at300° C. with a 1.2 or 6.7 Kg weight are substantially increased withaddition of the octadecyl amine. The initial MV at 340° C. in the dwelltest also shows higher flow (a lower viscosity). The small change in MVafter 30 minutes at 340° C. shows the modified silicone polyetherimidecopolymers (24 to 27) to have good melt stability despite their higheramine functionality (IR Stoic NH₂). Tensile modulus, strength andelongation at break are retained in the high flow modified resins 24 to27. Tg is above 190° C. The heat distortion temperature (HDT) at 66 psiis above 150° C. The resins of examples 24 to 27 retained their clarity,percent transmission (% T) is slightly increased vs. control G. The lowhaze (% H), below 5%, is retained and color, as shown by lower YI, isslightly improved (YI is reduced).

TABLE 13 STM1700 w Octadecyl Amine Example G 24 25 26 27 Composition 0.30.5 0.7 1.0 STM1700 C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ IR Stoic NH₂ 0.599 0.8120.867 1.216 1.499 excess, mole % GPC Mw (PS stds) 38665 37217 3680335222 33335 GPC Mn 13671 13827 13241 13090 12574 % reduction Mw 0% −3.8%−4.8% −8.9% −13.8% MVR 300° C. 1.0 2.3 4.0 5.1 8.0 6 min 1.2 kg MVR 300°C. 1.0 1.7 4.8 5.2 10.3 18 min 1.2 Kg MVR 300° C. 11.3 18.0 32.0 35.169.7 6 min 6.7 Kg MVR 300° C. 11.0 19.1 37.4 44.2 83.4 18 min 6.7 KgVisc MV (P) dwell 8482 4823 3488 2760 1962 340° C. start Visc MV (P)dwell 6791 3426 2452 2033 1458 340° C., 30 min. Tg DMA ° C. 197.5 195.5194.8 193.6 191.4 HDT 66 psi ° C. 167.4 160.8 162.2 160.4 155.6 HDT 264psi ° C. 146.4 140.9 140.1 138.0 134.8 T Mod MPa 2230 2250 2220 22202160 T Str (Y) MPa 69.4 68.5 67.7 67.3 65.6 % Elong (B) 13 13 13 13 13 NIzod J/m 111 90 85 81 69 RN Izod J/m 1780 1530 1540 1400 1030 MAI TotalEnergy 48.1 46.3 52.5 52.4 42.0 (J) YI 3.2 mm 140.6 137.7 135.7 135.2134.2 % T 26.6 30.3 31.9 32.5 33.3 % H 3.3 3.3 3.4 3.7 4.0

The improved flow of the modified silicone polyetherimide resins ofExamples 24 to 27 is further demonstrated in comparing the viscosity vs.shear (MVM) at 300° C. to the unmodified control Example G (Table 14).Note the lower viscosity (measured in Pa-s) at all shear rates withoctadecyl amine modification of the silicone polyetherimide copolymer.

TABLE 14 STM1700 w Octadecyl Amine MVM Visc. vs. Shear Example G 24 2526 27 Composition 0.3 0.5 0.7 1.0 STM1700 C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂ C₁₈NH₂Shear Rate (1/sec) Shear Viscosity (Pa-s) 300° C. 28 2856 2090 1612 1271940 52 2351 1758 1327 1119 832 100 1781 1400 1091 889 659 201 1242 1008781 656 497 293 1055 874 676 572 465 499 766 643 511 445 361 642 657 558454 399 327 1002 505 428 357 318 268 1505 398 339 285 257 220 3006 259224 185 177 153 5010 175 150 126 122 106 7018 141 120 101 98 86

In Table 15 Examples 28 to 31 show the melt reaction of 0.5 to 2.0 wt. %bis(3-amino propyl) terminated polydimethyl siloxane (G10) with the highMw polyetherimide ULTEM 1000. As can be seen in comparing Examples 28 to31 to the unmodified control resin Example H, the MVR at 337° C. issubstantially increased with addition of the G10 compared to theunmodified resin of Example H. The initial MV at 340° C. in the dwelltest also shows higher flow (a lower viscosity) with the added G10. Thesmall (less than 25%) change in MV after 30 minutes at 340° C. shows themodified silicone polyetherimide copolymers (28 to 31) to have good meltstability.

Tensile modulus, strength and elongation at break are retained in thehigh flow modified resins 28 to 31. Tg is above 210° C. As compared tothe STM Examples 24 to 28 of Table 13 the percent transmission (% T) ismuch lower and percent haze (% H) are much higher indicating a loss oftransparency when the G10 is reacted with the U1000 PEI. Transparencywas not lost in any of the previous Examples using octadecyl amine oramino hexanoic acid with the ULTEM polyetherimides or the SILTEMsilicone polyetherimide.

Reversed notched Izod (RNI) and multiaxial impact (MAI) are improved inby addition of the G10 compared to the control U1000 resin of Example H.The IR stoichiometry shows that the U1000 resin, that is, initiallyanhydride rich (IR stoic NH2, −0.079), becomes increasingly aryl aminefunctionalized with higher NH₂ stoic values.

TABLE 15 U1000 w G10 Silicone Diamine Example H 28 29 30 31 Composition0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% U1000 G10 G10 G10 G10 MVR 337° C. 70 9.0 11.3 13.714.8 6 min 6.7 Kg MVR 337° C. 72 9.0 11.5 13.5 15.2 18 min 6.7 Kg GPC Mw54425 52708 51264 51075 51203 (PS stds) GPC Mn 17421 16538 17034 1864517100 % change Mw  −3.2%  −5.8%  −6.2%  −5.9% vs. U1000 MV dwell 3567429385 21543 18727 17187 340° C. start MV dwell 35621 25754 18009 1464412939 340° C. 30 min % MV change 0.0% −12.4% −16.4% −21.8% −24.7% Tg DSC° C. 220.5 217.7 216.0 215.7 214.8 HDT 264 psi 194.9 194.5 191.9 192.3191.0 ° C. N Izod J/m 56 5.8 55 55 59 RN Izod J/m 1220 1750 1480 12901390 MAI total J 6 11 24 17 13 energy YI 3.2 mm 80 123 144 150 160 % T58 16 7 3 4 % H 98 99 99 100 T Mod MPa 3250 3230 3190 3170 3130 T Str(Y) MPa 113 112 111 111 110 % Elong (B) 13 15 14 12 15 IR Stoic NH₂−0.079 0.104 0.372 0.468 0.562 excess, mole %

The improved flow of the G10 amine functional polyetherimide resins ofExamples 28 to 31 is further demonstrated in comparing the viscosity vs.shear (MVM) at 340° C. to the unmodified control Example H (Table 15).Note the lower viscosity (measured in Pa-s) at all shear rates with G10silicone diamine modification.

TABLE 15 U1000 w G10 Silicone Diamine MVM Visc. vs. Shear Example H 2829 30 31 Composition 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% U1010 G10 G10 G10 G10 ShearRate (1/sec.) Shear Viscosity (Pa-s) 340° C. 26 2310 1997 1929 1425 124251 2038 1817 1651 1363 1251 100 1822 1585 1393 1200 1018 200 1495 13151169 961 790 300 1303 1147 1018 834 670 501 1056 936 839 691 581 642 935827 756 632 532 1002 739 655 612 530 452 1504 587 520 491 437 388 3007396 345 330 300 279 5011 269 233 226 207 197 7016 209 181 180 165 157

In Table 16 Examples 32 to 35 show the melt reaction of 0.5 to 2.0 wt. %bis(3-amino propyl) terminated polydimethyl siloxane (G10) withpolyetherimide ULTEM 1010. As can be seen in comparing Examples 22 to 35to the unmodified control resin Example I the MVR at 337° C. issubstantially increased with addition of the G10 compared to theunmodified resin of Example I. The initial MV (MV Dwell start) at 340°C. in the dwell test also shows higher flow (a lower viscosity) with theadded G10.

Tensile modulus, strength and elongation at break are largely retainedin the high flow modified resins 32 to 35. Tg is above 215° C. Reversednotched Izod (RNI) and multiaxial impact (MAI) are improved in Examples32 and 33 by addition of the 0.5 and 1.0 wt. % G10 compared to thecontrol Example I.

The IR stoichiometry shows that the U1000 resin that is initiallyanhydride rich (IR stoic NH_(2, −0.06)) becomes increasingly aryl aminefunctionalized with higher NH₂ stoic values. 31P NMR also shows anincrease in aryl amine functionality from 45 to 156 ppm.

TABLE 16 U1010 w G10 Silicone Diamine Example I 32 33 34 35 Composition0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% U1010 G10 G10 G10 G10 MVR 337° C. 6 min 17.5 20.822.1 28.3 30.5 6.7 Kg MVR 337° C. 18 min 18.7 19.9 24.2 27.9 32.6 6.7 kgGPC Mw (PS stds) 43899 43240 42366 41724 41783 GPC Mn 18311 18637 1816117187 18960 % change Mw vs U1010 0% −1.5% −3.5% −5.0% −4.8% MV dwell340° C. start 14927 12741 11187 9877 7832 MV dwell 340° C., 15152 116789747 8310 6179 30 min Tg DSC ° C. 219.0 216.8 216.1 216.1 215.4 N lzodJ/m 54 56 57 56 57 RN Izod J/m 1180 1510 1300 1080 958 T Mod MPa 38603770 3830 3800 3760 T Str (Y) MPa 114 113 111 111 111 % Elong (B) 47 4828 13 14 Stoic NH₂ excess IR −0.06 0.04 0.28 0.36 0.59 mole % 31P NMRNH₂ ppm 45 66 109 114 156

In Table 17 the improved flow of the G10 modified U1010 polyetherimideresins of Examples 32 to 35 is further demonstrated in comparing theviscosity vs. shear (MVM) at 340° C. to the unmodified control ExampleI. Note the lower viscosity (measured in Pa-s) at all shear rates withG10 silicone diamine modification.

TABLE 17 U1010 w G10 Silicone Diamine MVM Visc. vs. Shear Example I 3233 34 35 Composition 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% U1010 G10 G10 G10 G10 ShearRate (1/sec.) Shear Viscosity (Pa-s) 340° C. 26 2310 1997 1929 1425 124251 2038 1817 1651 1363 1251 100 1822 1585 1393 1200 1018 200 1495 13151169 961 790 300 1303 1147 1018 834 670 501 1056 936 839 691 581 642 935827 756 632 532 1002 739 655 612 530 452 1504 587 520 491 437 388 3007396 345 330 300 279 5011 269 233 226 207 197 7016 209 181 180 165 157

Fiber Examples 36-37

Our aryl-amine terminated and alkyl-imide terminated PEI resin modifiedwith 0.7 wt. % octadecyl amine of Example 4 was melt spun into very finefibers having a denier that was more than 0 and less than 10, i.e., 2and 6 denier. The resin was dried for at least 4 hr at about 150° C. andextruded into fibers using a single screw 24:1 L/D extruder set at 360to 395° C. with a 325 mesh (40-50 micron) screen pack, which fed a meltpump run at about 12 rpm feeding a 0.6 mm 144 filament die. The denier,feed and draw rolls were run at about 100° F. and 1500 rpm. The spool,pump dam and wear plate temperatures were about 400° F. After extrusionthe fibers were coated (finished) with a lubricant and fiber processaid, LUROL F6164G from Goulston Technologies Inc., and wound on to abobbin. In Examples 36 and 37 fibers were made with a 2 and 6denier/filament (dpf) value. Throughput was about 0.33 to 1.0grams/hole/minute. The modified resin spun well with no breakage ordropped fibers. The fibers were smooth and had good lustrous appearance.Properties of these fibers are shown in Table 18. Tenacity as measuredas per ASTM D2256, was greater than 1.5 grams/fiber (g/f). Shrinkage, asmeasured as per ASTM D2259, at 180° C. was less than 1%, 200° C.shrinkage was less than 3%. The 2 dpf fiber (Example 37) had a tensilestrength at max load, as measured as per ASTM D2256 of over 75 MPa.

TABLE 18 Fiber Examples U1010 w Tensile 0.7 wt % Strain % % C₁₈NH₂ max @max shrink- shrink- (resin of load Tenacity load age age Example 4) (gf)g/f MPa 180° C. 200° C. Example 6 dpf fiber 1334 1.6 114.5 0.5 1.9 36Example 2 dpf fiber 480 1.7 76.2 0.6 3.6 37

Example 38

The purpose of this Example was to make a fabric from a polyetherimidehaving aryl-amine functionality. The fiber of Example 37 was knittedinto a 3-inch diameter sock. The resulting sock was tested for oxygenindex (OI) as per ASTM D2863. The OI of the sample was 31%, showing afabric that was very resistant to combustion.

Example 39 Comparative

The purpose of this Example was to evaluate the limits of making fibersfrom a PEI that was not aryl-amine terminated and alkyl-imide terminatedPEI. The octadecyl amine modified PEI resin had a much wider processingwindow than the more viscous ULTEM 1010 resin. Melt pressure for the0.7% octadecyl amine modified PEI (Example 4) was 700 psi compared tothe U1010 control (Example A) which had a 1300 psi melt pressure underthe same extrusion conditions. The octadecyl amine modified resin couldalso be melt spun at 25 to 50° C. lower temperature than the U1010control.

The U1010 control (Example A) sample showed fiber breakage afterspinning at 2 denier after only 4 hours, in other instances fiberbreakage occurred after only 2 hrs spinning. The high flow aryl amineand alkyl(octadecyl)imide terminated resin (Example 4) gave no fiberbreakage after 8 hrs. (Table 19). Note that the time to fiber breakagemay have been longer but the experiment was terminated at 8 hrs. Thepressure during fiber spinning from the melt was about 47% lower withthe amine and octadecyl imide terminated resin of example 4 compared tothe U1010 control (Example A).

TABLE 19 Fiber Spinning Average time to fiber breakage Pressure during 2denier spinning (psi) U1010 3 hrs 1300 (resin of example A) U1010 w 0.7wt % C18NH2 >8 hrs  700 (resin of example 4)

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions arepossible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims shouldnot be limited to the description of the preferred versions containedherein.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which arefiled concurrently with this specification and which are open to publicinspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papersand documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including anyaccompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced byalternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose,unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly statedotherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a genericseries of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for”performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specificfunction, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause asspecified in 35 U.S.C §112, sixth paragraph. In particular, the use of“step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisionsof 35 U.S.C §112, sixth paragraph.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process comprising blending a polyimide resinand an organic compound to produce an aryl amine functionalizedpolyimide, having aryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydridefunctionality, wherein the polyimide resin has a weight averagemolecular weight (Mw) from 5,000 to 100,000 daltons, wherein the organiccompound comprises at least one primary aliphatic amine, wherein theprimary aliphatic amine does not have a direct linkage of a nitrogen toan aryl group, and wherein the primary aliphatic amine does not have afunctionality selected from the group consisting of a halogenfunctionality, a hydroxyl functionality, a sulfonic acid functionality,a sulfonic acid salt functionality, and combinations thereof.
 2. Theprocess of claim 1, wherein the blending occurs in an extruder operatedat atmospheric pressure with no vacuum applied.
 3. The process of claim1, wherein the blending occurs in an extruder operated at 50 to 500 rpm.4. The process of claim 1, wherein the blending occurs at a temperatureof from 200 to 400 degrees Celsius.
 5. The process of claim 1, whereinthe blending occurs in the presence of less than 500 ppm of an organicsolvent.
 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the polyimide resin isselected from the group consisting of a polyetherimide, a siliconepolyetherimide, a polyetherimide sulfone resin, and combinationsthereof.
 7. The process of claim 1, wherein the polyimide resin is asilicone polyetherimide comprising from 1 to 40 weight percent of adimethyl silicone.
 8. The process of claim 1, wherein the polyimideresin is a silicone polyetherimide comprising from 5 to 40 weightpercent of a dimethyl silicone having a silicone block length of 5 to 50repeat units.
 9. The process of claim 1, wherein the polyimide resin hasa glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than about 200 degreesCelsius.
 10. The process of claim 1, wherein the polyimide resin issubstantially free of benzylic protons.
 11. The process of claim 1,wherein the polyimide resin is substantially free of halogen atoms. 12.The process of claim 1, wherein the organic compound comprises from 0.1to 10.0 weight percent of a C₆ to C₃₆ primary aliphatic amine.
 13. Theprocess of claim 1, wherein the organic compound comprises from 0.1-5.0weight percent of a′ C₆ to C₃₆ primary aliphatic amine.
 14. The processof claim 1, wherein the organic compound is a primary aliphatic aminefurther comprising a carboxylic acid functionality.
 15. The process ofclaim 1, wherein the aryl amine functionalized polyimide has meltviscosity as measured by ASTM4440 at 340 degrees Celsius that is atleast 15% lower than the polyimide resin.
 16. A process of claim 1,wherein the aryl amine functionalized polyimide has a melt flow index asmeasured by ASTM D1238 with a 6.7 Kg weight at 337 degrees Celsius offrom 5.0 to 100.0 cc/10 min.
 17. A process of claim 1, wherein the arylamine functionalized polyimide has a glass transition temperature (Tg)greater than about 180 degrees Celsius.
 18. The process of claim 1,wherein the resultant aryl amine functionalized polyimide is end cappedwith a C₆ to C₃₆ alkyl imide functionality.
 19. The process of claim 1,wherein the aryl amine functionalized polyimide has an aryl aminecontent of from 0.15 to 3.0 mole percent of the aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide.
 20. The process of claim 1, wherein the arylamine functionalized polyimide has an aryl amine content of from 0.3 to1.5 mole percent of the aryl amine functionalized polyimide.
 21. Theprocess of claim 1, further comprising continuously producing a fiberhaving a denier in a range of from greater than 0 to 10 denier at a rateof from 0.5 to 10 kg/hour.
 22. A fiber made by the process of claim 21.23. A fabric comprising the fiber of claim
 22. 24. A composition made bythe process of claim
 1. 25. An aryl amine functionalized polyimidecomposition made by the process of claim 1, wherein the resin is endcapped with a C₆ to C₃₆ alkyl imide functionality.
 26. An aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide composition made by the process of claim 1,wherein the resin has a change in melt viscosity of less than 20% of itsinitial value after held in the melt for 30 minutes at 340 degreesCelsius as per. ASTM D
 4440. 27. An aryl amine functionalized polyimide,having aryl amine functionality in excess of any anhydridefunctionality.
 28. The aryl amine functionalized polyimide of claim 27,wherein the aryl amine functionalized polyimide has melt viscosity asmeasured by ASTM4440 at 340 degrees Celsius that is at least 15% lowerthan the polyimide resin.
 29. A aryl amine functionalized polyimide ofclaim 27, wherein the aryl amine functionalized polyimide has a meltflow index as measured by ASTM D1238 with a 6.7 Kg weight at 337 degreesCelsius of from 5.0 to 100.0 cc/10 min.
 30. A aryl amine functionalizedpolyimide of claim 27, wherein the aryl amine functionalized polyimidehas a glass transition temperature (Tg) greater than about 180 degreesCelsius.
 31. The aryl amine functionalized polyimide of claim 27,wherein the resultant aryl amine functionalized polyimide is end cappedwith a C₆ to C₃₆ alkyl imide functionality.
 32. The aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide of claim 27, wherein the aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide has an aryl amine content of from 0.15 to 3.0mole percent of the aryl amine functionalized polyimide.
 33. The arylamine functionalized polyimide of claim 27, wherein the aryl aminefunctionalized polyimide has an aryl amine content of from 0.3 to 1.5mole percent of the aryl amine functionalized polyimide.
 34. An articlecomprising an aryl amine functionalized polyimide, having an aryl aminefunctionality in excess of any anhydride functionality.
 35. The articleof claim 34, wherein the article is selected from the group consistingof a fiber, a film, a sheet, an adhesive, and combinations thereof. 36.The article of claim 34, wherein the article is a fiber having a denierper filament (dpf) of less than or equal to 2.0.
 37. The article ofclaim 34, wherein the article is a fiber having a tenacity of greaterthan or equal to greater than 1.0 g/denier.
 38. The article of claim 34,wherein the article is a fiber having a tenacity of greater than orequal to 1.5 g/denier.
 39. The article of claim 34, wherein the articleis a fiber having shrinkage at 180 degrees Celsius of less than 1.0%.40. The article of claim 34, wherein the article is a fiber, and whereinthe article further comprises a fiber finish selected from the groupconsisting of polyethers, polyesters, polyamides, silicones, urethanes,polyolefins, epoxides, acrylates, polyols, alcohols, fatty acids, fattyacid salts amides, esters, alkyl sulfonates, amines, ammonium salts,phosphates, phosphites, and combinations thereof.
 41. A fabriccomprising the article of claim 34.